Across the globe, we have come to rely on an array of products - and behind each product is a fascinating story. Babita Sharma and Finn Aberdein explore the networks, places and people behind eight products that help us to thrive. This programme considers the humble cup of coffee - a simple product that continues to evolve and find new markets. Finn travels to Seesaw Coffee in Shanghai, to see how young consumers are looking to 'speciality coffee' to allow them to experience a new kind of drink. We then track the coffee bean right back to its major source: a coffee plantation in Brazil, to learn how coffee is grown and cultivated. Finally, Babita visits Leonardo Lelli - an Italian coffee roaster who shows her how, for him, preparing coffee beans is more of an art than an industrial process.
This programme looks at the global paper trade - which is thriving, despite the ubiquity of digital technology. One of the oldest products, paper was first invented by the Chinese - Babita Sharma visits Frogmore Paper Mill, one of the oldest paper mills in the UK, to see that many of those early Chinese techniques are still used today. The paper industry is now adapting, as consumers become more environmentally conscious - in Italy, changes in legislation mean it has become a world-leader in recycled paper production. Finally, Finn Aberdein travels to Scotland to see how companies such as Smith Anderson have adapted to specialise in recycled paper as an alternative to single-use plastics.
This programme follows the global network for cut flowers. Every year, more than 8 billion US dollars worth of flowers are cut, packaged and sent around the world for display. This industry has historically been dominated by European companies, but now this is changing. Finn Aberdein visits Tambuzi flower farm in Kenya, to see how they grow, sort and prepare beautiful blooms for transportation across the world. Some go straight to their destination, whereas others end up in the huge Royal Floral Holland flower market - the global centre for the flower trade, which processes over 20 million stems every day. Babita Sharma spends some time flower arranging with florist-to-the-stars Simon Lycett, to see why consumers demand the best quality flowers for their special day.
This programme looks at one of the oldest global trade networks: Spices. Today, the worldwide spice industry is worth 15 billion in US dollars, driven by consumers' appetite for cuisines from all over the world. Babita Sharma visits the Aroqa Indian Restaurant in New York, where the chef places huge emphasis on sourcing his spices direct from their native source: India. Finn sees a spice farm in action in Kerala, before going on to see how the processing happens at Synthite, one of the largest spice processors in India. Finally, we see how consumers globally are now using spices not just in cuisine, but for their health-related properties.
This programme explores the production of handbags. This industry has long been dominated by high end Italian designers, whose loyal customers will pay thousands for their perfect bag. Babita Sharma visits master handbag-maker Umberto Rinaudo in Italy, seeing the care that goes into making each bag - as well as how he and his designers are adapting their approach for the internet generation. But how much is the high-street market threatening traditional Italian techniques? Finn Aberdein travels to Yiwu, the largest wholesale market in China, and gets a lesson in how to spot the next big handbag high street trend.
This programme looks behind the scenes of the making of Whisky - A drink that used to be thought of as a drink for the older man, but is now forging new markets across the globe. One brand doing particularly well is Scotch. Finn Aberdein travels to Shanghai, where over 100 new whisky bars have opened since 2016, to see why whisky is proving popular amongst young Chinese consumers. And then he travels to the birthplace of scotch itself, to experience the age-old process that gives scotch its unique flavour.
This programme looks at how the global bike industry is working to bring higher-end bikes to cyclists across the world. Finn visits Mumbai to see Firoza Suresh, the city's first 'bicycle mayor' - learning how she's encouraging to get people fit and to reduce pollution. High-end bikes are increasingly available to everyday consumers, because parts are made in hubs such as Taiwan, before being shipped to manufacturers around the world. Babita visits Brompton Bicycles in London - one such manufacturer who relies on the global trade to make their very British product.
Semiconductors, also known as microchips, have revolutionised our lives through their use in computers, phones and everyday electronics. But before it even reaches our home, the parts of each semiconductor have travelled around the world up to three times. Babita Sharma visits a factory in the US to see how the ingredient parts of a microchip come together from across the planet, where they are assembled using US expertise built up over decades. The devices containing chips are changing lives: Finn travels to rural Kenya to meet Douglas, a farmer whose business is thriving thanks to the freedom that semiconductors provide.
